Level 4

IELTS Writing Task 1

Task 1 – Temporal Graphs Task 1 on the IELTS exam requires you to transfer information from a chart into a written report. You need to be able to give a clear interpretation of the data in the chart. You need to produce a report that gives an introduction and a body paragraph for each of the data sources. In this section you will:

practice identifying trends in a bar/line chart

practice writing about changes in a bar/line chart

To get a band 5 or 5.5 in IELTS, you need to:-

• write an overview

• describe the main information in the chart(s) correctly

• make some comparisons

• organise your writing in a clear and logical way

• use some good linking words

• use suitable vocabulary with good range, spelling and correct word forms

• have some simple sentences, some compound sentences (using linking words like and

& but), and some complex sentences (e.g. …., which was the highest figure in the

period, …, after which…)

1

Tourists Visiting Three European Countries in 2008

Sentence Types

Two of the main sentence types for this kind of writing are those using verb/adverb and adjective/noun combinations. Directions - Look at the chart on the number of tourists visiting three European countries in 2008 and fill in the gaps below with the correct countries. 1. The number of tourists in _____________________ increased dramatically in October. 2. The number of tourists in _____________________ dropped steadily from January to June. 3. There was a dramatic increase in the number of tourists in ____________________ in October. 4. There was a steady drop in the number of tourists in _____________________ from January to June.

Directions - Which of these 4 sentences use verb/adverb and which use adjective/noun? Circle the verb/adverb and adjective/noun combinations and match them with sentence type (A) or (B) below. (A) Sentences using verbs of change subject + verb + adverb + other important details (B) Sentences using nouns of change there + be verb + article + adjective + noun + in + noun + other important details

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

January March May July September

Nu

mb

er

of

To

uri

sts

(in

T

ho

usan

ds)

Month

France

Germany

Italy

2

Key vocabulary

Directions - Write the present and past tense of the verbs, and the adjectives of the adverbs.

Nouns Present tense verbs

Past tense verbs

Adverbs Adjectives

START POINT

- begin at - -

- stand at - -

- start at - -

UP rise rapidly

increase dramatically

climb sharply

- go up gradually

DOWN

fall steadily

decrease moderately

decline slowly

drop slightly

- go down

SAME

- remain constant

- -

- stay the same - -

no change - -

UP and DOWN

fluctuation upwards downwards

peak - -

plateau - -

Introductory Verbs Others

show around just over / just under

illustrate approximately slightly more than / slightly less than

indicate about

3

Directions - Using the vocabulary from the chart, look at the line charts and complete the sentences using the correct adverb and verb or adjective and noun.

The number of homes owning more than one TV ________ ________ during September and then __________ ________ between October and November.

TV ratings ________ at ten million on June 30th.

There was a _________ ___________ in sales of Play Station 3 in March

and then a ____________ _____________ during April.

The number of people investing in houses ______________ during the months of February and March.

Sales of crude oil ________________ ________________ between

2 and 2.5 million barrels from May to September.

The number of students attending Oxford University _________ _________ between 1997 and 2000.

There was a ___________ __________ in stocks in computer chips from

November to December.

The amount of rainfall in the UAE ________ ____________ in July.

4

Directions - Change the sentences below from (verb + adverb) to (there was a + adjective + noun) or the other way. The first one has been done as an example.

1. The number of students attending Oxford University increased steadily between 1997 and

2000. There was a steady increase in the number of students attending Oxford university between 1997 and 2000. 2. There was a slight rise in stocks in computer chips from November to December.

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. The amount of rainfall in the UAE dropped dramatically in July. _____________________________________________________________________________ 4. The number of homes owning more than one TV climbed sharply during September and then

did not change between October and November. _____________________________________________________________________________ 5. TV ratings peaked at ten million on June 30th. _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. There was a slight fall in sales of Play Station 3 in March and then a rapid climb during April. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 7. The number of people investing in houses plateaued during the months of February and

March. _____________________________________________________________________________ 8. Sales of crude oil fluctuated upwards between 2 and 2.5 million barrels from May to

September. _____________________________________________________________________________

5

Task 1 Analysis and Planning Directions- Look at the graph and answer the following questions

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Am

ou

nt

of r

ice

(in

to

ns)

Years

Amount of rice grown in 3 countries

China

Japan

India

1. What kind of chart is it?

2. What is the overall trend for each country?

3. How would you organise the information in each of the paragraphs in the boxes below?

6

Model Report:

The bar graph shows the amount of rice grown in three countries, which were

China, Japan and India from 1920 to 2000. As an overall trend, the amount of rice for

both China and India increased, while the amount for Japan decreased over the period.

Looking at the amount of rice grown in China, it is clear to see that it went up

over the period. It stood at approximately 300 tons in 1920. From 1920 to 1960, the

amount of rice grew slightly from 300 tons to 500 tons, after which it remained constant

from 1960 to 1980. Then, between 1980 and 2000, there was a sharp rise in the amount

from 500 tons to 2,400 tons, which was the highest figure in the period.

Similarly, the amount of rice in India climbed during the same 80 years. It began

at 750 tons in 1920. Following this, there was a fluctuation in the amount of rice grown

at around 800 tons between 1920 and 1960, after which the amount rose steadily from

800 tons to 1,500 tons between 1960 and 1990. Finally, the figure stayed the same from

1990 to 2000.

Unlike China and India, there was an overall drop in the amount of rice grown in

Japan. It started at about 1,600 tons in 1920, before rising slightly to a peak of 1,800

tons between 1920 and 1930. Next, from 1930 to 1960, it fell steadily from 1,800 tons

to about 1,300 tons. After that, it remained constant from 1960 to 2000.

Focus on Structure and Organisation Directions- Look at the report and answer the following questions.

1. How many paragraphs are there?

2. How are the paragraphs organised?

3. Where is the overview found? Underline/highlight the sentences(s) that are the overview.

4. Does the overview have any details such as data or numbers?

7

5. Which sentences in the body paragraphs 2 and 3 are comparisons? What are the sentences

comparing?

6. Write down all the linking words that are used to order data information according to time.

____________________ _____________ ____________________ _____________

_____________ _____________ _____________

7. In each body paragraph, is all data described?

8. Are there any explanations/opinions about the information in the graph?

Focus on Vocabulary and Grammar

9. What verb tense is used in the report? Why?

10. In each body paragraph, what verb is used to describe the first data point? Write these verbs

below:

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________

11. Look at body paragraph 1. How many verbs can you find that have the same meaning as

increased? Underline/highlight them. Are the verbs the same or different from each other?

12. Do most of the sentences use verb/adverb or adjective/noun combinations? Write down some

examples of:-

a. verb/adverb combinations ___________________________

___________________________ ___________________________

b. adjective/noun combinations ___________________________

___________________________ ___________________________

13. Look at body paragraph 2. Write down the different ways of referring to “the amount of rice

grown”. ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

14. Underline/highlight the complex structures used in the example report.

15. Below are some common phrases, fill in each gap with 1 word only.

a. As ___________ overall trend,

b. From 1920 ___________ 1960,

c. Between 1980 ___________ 2000,

d. ……..decreased over ___________ period.

8

e. Looking ___________ the amount of rice grown in China, ………….

f. ………….it is clear to see ___________ it went up ……………..

g. It started ___________ 750 tons …………

h. there was an overall drop ___________ the amount………………

i. …………………___________ 1920 and 930.

j. Next, ___________ 1930 to 1960,…………………..

k. … it fell steadily ___________ 1,800 tons ___________ about 1,300 tons

Additional things to think about when writing reports:

Check that you have an overview and that it is correct.

Make sure you give some numbers but don’t write any numbers in the overview

Be careful of spellings – learn the vocabulary table.

Use the correct tense for verbs and vary them

Make sure you use a variety of sentence patterns.

Use the correct adverbs to describe trends.

Put your time phrases in different parts of the sentence (front/back).

Steps to writing a report

1. Select information- Before you write think of what to include

2. Look at the main features- tops/bottoms, beginning/ends, common

patterns, changes, identify the important trends.

3. Compare- similarities and differences

4. Report- Write what you see- No opinion, not an essay

5. Summarize information- need to leave out some information, don’t give

too much information.

9

Answers

Tourists Visiting Three European Countries in 2008

Sentence Types

Two of the main sentence types for this kind of writing are those using verb/adverb and adjective/noun combinations. Directions - Look at the chart on the number of tourists visiting three European countries in 2008 and fill in the gaps below with the correct countries. 1. The number of tourists in Italy increased dramatically in October. (A) 2. The number of tourists in Germany dropped steadily from January to June. (A) 3. There was a dramatic increase in the number of tourists in Italy in October. (B) 4. There was a steady drop in the number of tourists in Germany from January to June. (B)

Directions - Which of these 4 sentences use verb/adverb and which use adjective/noun? Circle the verb/adverb and adjective/noun combinations and match them with sentence type (A) or (B) below. (A) Sentences using verbs of change subject + verb + adverb + other important details (B) Sentences using nouns of change there + be verb + article + adjective + noun + in + noun + other important details

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

January March May July September

Nu

mb

er

of

To

uri

sts

(in

T

ho

usan

ds)

Month

France

Germany

Italy

10

Key vocabulary

Directions - Write the present and past tense of the verbs, and the adjectives of the adverbs.

Nouns Present tense verbs

Past tense verbs

Adverbs Adjectives

START POINT

- begin at began at - -

- stand at stood at - -

- start at started at - -

UP rise rise to rose to rapidly rapid

increase increase to increased to dramatically dramatic

climb climb to climbed to sharply sharp

- go up to went up to gradually gradual

DOWN

fall fall to fell to steadily steady

decrease decrease to decreased to moderately moderate

decline decline to declined to slowly slow

drop drop to dropped to slightly slight

- go down went down to

SAME

- remain constant at

remained constant at

- -

- stay the same at

stayed the same at

- -

no change does not change at

did not change at

- -

UP and DOWN

fluctuation fluctuates at fluctuated upwards downwards

upward downward

peak peaks at peaked at - -

plateau plateaus at plateaued at - -

Introductory Verbs Others

show around just over / just under

illustrate approximately slightly more than / slightly less than

indicate about

11

Directions - Using the vocabulary from the chart, look at the line charts and complete the sentences using the correct adverb and verb or adjective and noun.

The number of homes owning more than one TV climbed sharply during September and then remained constant between October and November.

TV ratings peaked at ten million on June 30th.

There was a slight fall in sales of Play Station 3 in March and then a rapid climb during April.

The number of people investing in houses plateaued during the months

of February and March.

Sales of crude oil fluctuated upwards between 2 and 2.5 million

barrels from May to September.

The number of students attending Oxford University increased steadily between

1997 and 2000.

There was a slight rise in stocks in computer chips from November to

December.

The amount of rainfall in the UAE dropped dramatically in July.

12

Directions - Change the sentences below from (verb + adverb) to (there was a + adjective + noun) or the other way. The first one has been done as an example.

1. The number of students attending Oxford University increased steadily between 1997 and

2000. There was a steady increase in the number of students attending Oxford university between 1997 and 2000. 2. There was a slight rise in stocks in computer chips from November to December.

Stocks in computer chips rose slightly from November to December.

3. The amount of rainfall in the UAE dropped dramatically in July. There was a dramatic drop in the amount of rainfall in the UAE in July. 4. The number of homes owning more than one TV climbed sharply during September and then

did not change between October and November. There was a sharp climb in the number of homes owning more than one TV during September and then no change between October and November. 5. TV ratings peaked at ten million on June 30th. There was a peak in TV ratings at ten million on June 30th. 6. There was a slight fall in sales of Play Station 3 in March and then a rapid climb during April. Sales of Play Station 3 fell slightly in March and then climbed rapidly during April. 7. The number of people investing in houses plateaued during the months of February and

March. There was a plateau in the number of people investing in houses during the months of February and March. 8. Sales of crude oil fluctuated upwards between 2 and 2.5 million barrels from May to

September. There was an upward fluctuation in sales of crude oil between 2 and 2.5 million barrels from May to September.

13

Task 1 Analysis and Planning Directions- Look at the graph and answer the following questions

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Am

ou

nt

of r

ice

(in

to

ns)

Years

Amount of rice grown in 3 countries

China

Japan

India

4. What kind of chart is it? Bar

5. What is the overall trend for each country? China & India up, Japan down

6. How would you organise the information in each of the paragraphs in the boxes below?

Introduction

China

Japan

India

14

Model Report:

The bar graph shows the amount of rice grown in three countries, which were

China, Japan and India from 1920 to 2000. As an overall trend, the amount of rice for

both China and India increased, while the amount for Japan decreased over the period.

Looking at the amount of rice grown in China, it is clear to see that it went up

over the period. It stood at approximately 300 tons in 1920. From 1920 to 1960, the

amount of rice grew slightly from 300 tons to 500 tons, after which it remained constant

from 1960 to 1980. Then, between 1980 and 2000, there was a sharp rise in the amount

from 500 tons to 2,400 tons, which was the highest figure in the period.

Similarly, the amount of rice in India climbed during the same 80 years. It began

at 750 tons in 1920. Following this, there was a fluctuation in the amount of rice grown

at around 800 tons between 1920 and 1960, after which the amount rose steadily from

800 tons to 1,500 tons between 1960 and 1990. Finally, the figure stayed the same from

1990 to 2000.

Unlike China and India, there was an overall drop in the amount of rice grown in

Japan. It started at about 1,600 tons in 1920, before rising slightly to a peak of 1,800

tons between 1920 and 1930. Next, from 1930 to 1960, it fell steadily from 1,800 tons

to about 1,300 tons. After that, it remained constant from 1960 to 2000.

Focus on Structure and Organisation Directions- Look at the report and answer the following questions.

16. How many paragraphs are there? 4

17. How are the paragraphs organised? Intro – China – India - Japan

18. Where is the overview found? Underline/highlight the sentences(s) that are the overview.

19. Does the overview have any details such as data or numbers? No

15

20. Which sentences in the body paragraphs 2 and 3 are comparisons? What are the sentences

comparing? 1st sentences, comparing China with India, and comparing China & India with

Japan

21. Write down all the linking words that are used to order data information according to time.

…, after which … Then, … Following this, … Finally, …

…, before … Next, … After that, …

22. In each body paragraph, is all data described? No, only main changes

23. Are there any explanations/opinions about the information in the graph? No!

Focus on Vocabulary and Grammar

24. What verb tense is used in the report? Why? Past tense, 1920-2000

25. In each body paragraph, what verb is used to describe the first data point? Write these verbs

below:

stood at began at started at

26. Look at body paragraph 1. How many verbs can you find that have the same meaning as

increased? Underline/highlight them. Are the verbs the same or different from each other?

went up grew

27. Do most of the sentences use verb/adverb or adjective/noun combinations? Write down some

examples of:-

a. verb/adverb combinations grew slightly rose steadily remained constant

b. adjective/noun combinations a sharp rise an overall drop a fluctuation

28. Look at body paragraph 2. Write down the different ways of referring to “the amount of rice

grown”. It the amount the figure

29. Underline/highlight the complex structures used in the example report.

Looking at the amount of rice grown in China, it is clear to see that it went up …

… , the amount of rice grew slightly …, after which it remained constant …

…, there was a sharp rise in the amount …, which was the highest figure in the period.

Unlike China and India, there was an overall drop in …

It started at about 1,600 tons in 1920, before rising slightly to a peak of 1,800 tons …

30. Below are some common phrases, fill in each gap with 1 word only.

16

a. As an overall trend,

b. From 1920 to 1960,

c. Between 1980 and 2000,

d. ……..decreased over the period.

e. Looking at the amount of rice grown in China, ………….

f. ………….it is clear to see that it went up ……………..

g. It started at 750 tons …………

h. there was an overall drop in the amount………………

i. ………………… between 1920 and 930.

j. Next, from 1930 to 1960,…………………..

k. … it fell steadily from 1,800 tons to about 1,300 tons

Additional things to think about when writing reports:

Check that you have an overview and that it is correct.

Make sure you give some numbers but don’t write any numbers in the overview

Be careful of spellings – learn the vocabulary table.

Use the correct tense for verbs and vary them

Make sure you use a variety of sentence patterns.

Use the correct adverbs to describe trends.

Put your time phrases in different parts of the sentence (front/back).

Steps to writing a report

1. Select information- Before you write think of what to include

2. Look at the main features- tops/bottoms, beginning/ends, common patterns,

changes, identify the important trends.

3. Compare- similarities and differences

4. Report- Write what you see- No opinion, not an essay

5. Summarize information- need to leave out some information, don’t give too

much information.

17

Practice

Task 1: You should spend 20 minutes on this task.

The bar chart below illustrates the number of students who played three sports at UAEU from 2000 to 2008. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

18

Name:__________________________________ ID:__________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

20

Model Answer: Sports played at UAEU from 2000 to 2008

Directions – Fill in the missing words. The first letter of each word has been given for you.

T___________ b___________ g___________ s___________ t___________ n___________

o___________ students at UAE University who played three sports, w___________ w___________ football,

tennis and badminton between 2000 and 2008. A___________ a___________ o___________

t___________ the number of students who participated in football and badminton decreased, w___________

the number of students who played tennis increased o___________ t___________ 9 year p___________.

L___________ a___ the number of UAEU students who played football, i___________ i___________

c___________ t___________ s___________ t___________ i___________ fell o___________ t___________

p___________. It s___________ a___________ about 85 in 2000, a__________ t___________ the

f___________ rose steadily to around 110 in 2004. N___________, t___________ w___ a slight drop to

approximately 105 in 2005. A___________ t___________, it peaked a___________ 140 i___________ 2006.

F___________, it declined dramatically to just under 60, w___________ w___________ t___________

l___________ in the 9 years.

S___________, the number of students who enjoyed badminton dropped d___________

t___________ s___________ 9 years. In 2000, i___________ b___________ a___________ 40, before falling

rapidly to 10 in 2001. From 2001 to 2003, it rose slightly to 20. F___________ t___________, t___________

w___________ a sharp climb to around 65 in 2004, a___________ w___________ it decreased moderately to

20 in 2007 and remained constant to 2008.

U___________ the number of students who played football and badminton, t___________

w___________ a___________ o___________ climb i___________ the number of students who participated in

tennis. The figure s___________ a___________ 40 in 2000, a___________ w___________ it fluctuated

upwards to about 68 in 2005, w___________ w___________ t___________ h___________ in the period.

Then it fell slightly to approximately 58 in 2006. F___________, between 2006 and 2008, t___________

n___________ stayed the same.

21

Model Answer: Sports played at UAEU from 2000 to 2008

Teachers’ Answers

The bar graph shows the number of students at UAE University who played three sports,

which were football, tennis and badminton between 2000 and 2008. As an overall trend the number

of students who participated in football and badminton decreased, while the number of students who

played tennis increased over the 9 year period.

Looking at the number of UAEU students who played football, it is clear to see that it fell over

the period. It stood at about 85 in 2000, and then the figure rose steadily to around 110 in 2004.

Next, there was a slight drop to approximately 105 in 2005. After that, it peaked at 140 in 2006.

Finally, it declined dramatically to just under 60, which was the lowest in the 9 years.

Similarly, the number of students who enjoyed badminton dropped during the same 9 years.

In 2000, it began at 40, before falling rapidly to 10 in 2001. From 2001 to 2003, it rose slightly to 20.

Following this, there was a sharp climb to around 65 in 2004, after which it decreased moderately to

20 in 2007 and remained constant to 2008.

Unlike the number of students who played football and badminton, there was an overall climb

in the number of students who participated in tennis. The figure started at 40 in 2000, after which it

fluctuated upwards to about 68 in 2005, which was the highest in the period. Then it fell slightly to

approximately 58 in 2006. Finally, between 2006 and 2008, the number stayed the same.

22

Temporal Task 1 Practice Writing

For each of the practice tasks below, you can do any or all of the following:-

plan and write the overview

write the introduction write the first sentence of each body paragraph write the full report in 20 minutes

Practice 1 The bar chart below illustrates the coal produced by three countries.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where

relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

20

01

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

Am

ou

nt

of

Co

al (

in T

on

s)

Year

Amount of Coal Produced in Three Countries

England

Scotland

Wales

23

Practice 2

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where

relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

24

Practice 3

The graph below shows male unemployment rates in each country of the United Kingdom from 1999 to

2014.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where

relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

25

Practice 4 (Extension) The chart shows student expenditure over a three-year period in the United Kingdom.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where

relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

26

Practice 4 (Extension)

The chart shows components of GDP in the UK from 1992 to 2000.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where

relevant. Write at least 150 words

27

Practice 5 (Extension) The graph shows estimated oil production capacity for several Gulf countries between 1990 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where

relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.